Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Featured Article

Overview

There are several types of breast cancer, though some are very rare. The most common form in a womanâ€™s lobules (the part of the breast where milk develops) or in the ducts (the tiny tubes that deliver milk to the nipple). Cancer that remains in its place of origin, either in the ducts or the lobules, is considered â€śin situ,â€ť or â€śin place.â€ť Invasive cancer occurs when the malignant cells break through the ducts or lobules and spread to the surrounding breast tissue and/or the lymph system and other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Featured Article

Overview

More and more advanced techniques have and are being developed every day to bring hope for a cure to this disease. In past years, a woman would only have a few choices. Now, with the help of her professional care team, treatment can be more specified to the individual. TheBreastCareSite offers information on treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, as well as holistic and artistic healing therapies to help you with your decision process.

Post Surgery Options

Featured Article

Overview

After their surgery is complete breast cancer patients face a whole range of new issues. These range from concerns about body image, to post-surgical medical care, to the need for information on products that will help lumpectomy and mastectomy patients achieve a "natural" appearance. The following articles are designed to address many of these issues.

Featured Article

Overview

Itâ€™s important to start exercising as soon as possible, preferably before or during the course of adjuvant treatment. The sooner you start, the less likely you are to get stuck in the vicious cycle of feeling fatigued, not exercising, feeling more fatigued and even less willing to exercise, and so on. Once you start, you will probably find yourself eager and motivated to continue. Studies found that breast cancer survivors who were instructed to exercise were very motivated to do so and were able to stick with the program.

Featured Article

Overview

There's no single definition of "family," but what holds them together is a basic promise to work together through the experiences of this life. Please take some time to explore our collection of articles about families going through the breast cancer experience -- from the point of view of children, parents, and of course, partners. If you have comments about our site, or other tips that we haven't covered, please share them with us.

Funny You Mention It

Featured Article

Overview

Breast cancer is no laughing matter. But it could matter if you laugh. Bill Cosby once said â€śThrough humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.â€ť
Women surviving breast cancer can know with comfort - life is what you make it.

Breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy safe

Breast cancer patients facing radiation often are advised to put off breast reconstruction surgery until after their treatment. A new study, however, indicates that having reconstructive surgery immediately following mastectomy is safe.

The University of California, Los Angeles, study tracked 170 women with advanced tumors who had immediate reconstructive surgery after either partial or complete mastectomy. The study included 13 women who had both breasts reconstructed. Most of the surgeries were done with TRAM flaps â€“ or tissue from the abdominal area.

Results showed complications in just eight women, which caused a maximum three-week delay in further cancer treatments involving chemotherapy or radiation. These delays were not considered unreasonable or dangerous, the researchers said.

During follow-up, 15 women were found to have recurrent cancers, and their immediate reconstructions did not affect the identification of these tumors.

Still, there are advantages and disadvantages to both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. For some women, delaying reconstruction may give them more time to focus on treatments instead of reconstruction recovery. However, immediate reconstruction can spare patients additional surgeries and interruptions in her life. The primary drawback is that it requires a longer surgery and recovery than just having mastectomies alone.

More information about breast reconstructive surgery can be found at the American Cancer Society and at BreastReconstruction.org.